By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa yesterday predicted that Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao will knock out legendary Mexican Erik "El Terrible" Morales within seven rounds in their Grand Finale rubber match at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on November 18.
Penalosa who arrived with his wife Goody from the US early yesterday morning after his smashing ninth round KO over former WBO bantamweight champion and world No.1 Mauricio Martinez said Pacquiao was in terrific shape and was determined to win handsomely.
Penalosa said for Pacquiao "this is personal" because of all the talk by Morales that belittled Pacquiao and his tenth round KO in their rematch last January. Penalosa said he believes Morales will be troubled by his having to reduce weight to make the 130 pound limit.
The flashy southpaw who is eyeing one last world title shot as a bantamweight said Morales "may do well in the early rounds but after that Manny will get him in either six or seven rounds."
Penalosa said that when he trained with Pacquiao doing roadwork he simply couldn’t keep up with him. He said Pacquiao was "peaking at the right time" and under the disciplined training of the celebrated Freddie Roach, Pacquiao was in the best shape of his life. "Grabe talaga" added Penalosa.
